Holiday in La Palma

What makes La Palma special as a destination?

La Palma, the northwesternmost of the Canary Islands, is nicknamed "La Isla Bonita" — and the name is fitting. The steepest island in the world rises to over 2,400 meters in its center and houses the Caldera de Taburiente, a massive erosion crater with an eight-kilometer diameter, whose walls drop vertically by up to 1,500 meters. Hiking through the Caldera is one of the most impressive natural experiences in the Canaries. La Palma is one of the best destinations in the world for astrotourism: The Roque de los Muchachos Observatory on the highest peak hosts some of the most powerful telescopes in the world. A dedicated light protection law keeps the night sky dark, and on clear nights, the Milky Way reveals itself in a brilliance rarely found elsewhere in Europe. Guided stargazing tours are a must for every visitor. The Ruta de los Volcanes leads over the volcanic ridge in the south of the island, past solidified lava fields, craters, and volcanic cones, with panoramic views of both coasts at the same time. The laurel forest of Los Tilos, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, transports hikers into a primeval misty forest landscape with giant ferns, moss carpets, and babbling brooks — a relic from the Tertiary period. Santa Cruz de La Palma, the charming island capital, impresses with its brightly painted balconies in the Canarian colonial style and its car-free pedestrian zone. In the south, the volcanic eruptions of 1971 and 2021 have created surreal lava landscapes that can be explored on foot. La Palma is not a destination for beach vacationers — it is a paradise for hikers, stargazers, and nature lovers seeking the original.